Fiscal Year 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Buses and Bus Facilities Program
🏛 DOT - Federal Transit Administration
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 28, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for capital projects related to buses and bus facilities. Eligible applicants include designated recipients that allocate funds to bus operators, State governments, local government entities operating fixed-route bus service, and Indian tribes. Private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation are eligible as subrecipients. For rural (non-urbanized) areas, projects must be submitted by a State (except those proposed by Indian tribes).
Funded activities include replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing, or leasing buses and related equipment. Applicants can also finance rehabilitation, purchase, construction, or leasing of bus-related facilities. Geographic scope is national, covering urbanized and rural areas across the country.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $21 million in competitive grants under the Buses and Bus Facilities Program to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities. Synopses and full announcement will be posted on Grants.gov as opportunity FTA-2026-010-TPM-BUS. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov website by 11:59 PM Eastern Time September 21, 2026.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative and Justification
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Proof of cost-sharing/matching funds commitment
- Asset inventory or condition assessments (for rehabilitation projects)
- Environmental compliance documentation (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Johnita S Glover Transportation Program Analyst
- 📧 FTALowNoBusNOFO@dot.gov
- 📞 202-366-9833
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 20.526 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 20.526). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,542,298,000 | |
| 2025 | $217,492,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $945,622,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Designated recipients, States, local government entities operating fixed-route bus service, Indian tribes, and private nonprofits engaged in public transportation (as subrecipients) are eligible. All applicants must meet specific operational or governance requirements.
What types of projects are eligible for funding?
Eligible projects include replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing, or leasing buses and related equipment. Applicants can also fund rehabilitation, purchase, construction, or leasing of bus-related facilities.
Are there geographic restrictions for rural projects?
Rural (non-urbanized) projects must be submitted by a State, either individually or as part of a statewide application. Indian tribes may submit rural projects directly.
What is the application deadline and how do I apply?
The deadline is September 21, 2026 (11:59 PM Eastern Time). Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (opportunity FTA-2026-010-TPM-BUS).
Is cost-sharing required?
Yes, cost-sharing is required for this grant. Applicants must contribute matching funds as part of the project financing.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on quantifiable project outcomes like number of buses replaced or facility improvements that enhance service. Use concrete numbers and timelines.
- Document the condition of existing assets and explain why replacement or rehabilitation is necessary. Strong needs justification increases competitiveness.
- Ensure your application clearly identifies whether your project is in an urbanized or rural area and follow submission requirements accordingly.
- Align your project with national transit priorities such as climate goals, equity, or service expansion in underserved areas.
- Submit all required documentation early through Grants.gov to avoid technical submission issues near the deadline.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when project needs are poorly justified. Provide clear data on current asset conditions and service gaps.
Applicants miss cost-sharing requirements or underestimate matching funds. Confirm your organization's financial commitment upfront.
Rural projects submitted by ineligible entities get rejected. Verify your geographic area classification and submission authority before applying.
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